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EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association
EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association
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What treatment is available?

Medication

Medications which activate dopamine and/or enhance what is called cholinergic function have been shown to reduce apathy, as have traditional antidepressants.

Important!

  • Don’t stop your medication or change the dose suddenly without first seeking advice from your doctor or Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist
  • The information in this web-site is not a substitute for advice from your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional
  • If you ever become hospitalised, make sure that doctors and nurses know that you have Parkinson’s and inform them of your medication and the times you need to take them.

 

Psychological approaches

If medications are not effective, or if apathy is severe, a psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist can help you to overcome your feelings of apathy and feel more motivated and positive. Sometimes it may be useful if your partner or carer is included in consultations. It may be also helpful to combine psychological approaches with medication – they are not mutually exclusive.

Important!

Individual counselling can be very helpful in working out a strategy to promote a more positive attitude and greater motivation. But in some countries you must be referred to a counsellor by your doctor. If you book an appointment with a therapist or counsellor remember to check their qualifications and experience.

 

Who else can help?

Apart from your doctor, psychiatrists and counsellors, other trained professionals in the multidisciplinary team may be involved in managing apathy - for example, a Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist (PDNS) but this will depend on the country in which you live.

There are also many organisations that offer various kinds of emotional support such as telephone help lines, group meetings or practical help. Your doctor or social worker will be able to help you identify such organisations, or you may find contact details in a telephone directory.

Did you know?

Witnessing disturbing and horrific acts can result in apathy. During and after World War I, many soldiers who experienced the horrors of life fighting in the trenches suffered from "shell shock" – a sense of disconnected numbness and indifference to normal social interaction.

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